Hail of criticism

This cinema commercial for the 110th anniversary of the Deutsches Schauspielhaus (Hamburg Theatre) celebrates the controversial standing of the theatre by pointing out that in its long history it has managed again and again to stir both critics and the audience with daring productions, unusual interpretations and provocative performances. In highly elaborate, dynamic animations, criticism and malice are staged in a visually and acoustically impressive manner, for example with clattering typewriters on which scathing critiques are written, with perturbed faces and mouths that screech, gibe and boo all at the same time, and with swarms of applauding hands in flashes of lightning and rumblings of thunder. Driven by the breathtaking music of a classical orchestra, a composition that develops into a dramatic crescendo and is accompanied by this upset emotional babble of voices, the commercial ends with a panoramic view of the theatre. Surrounded by applauding hands and accompanied by disentangled, enthusiastic shouts of joy, the slogan “The Hamburg Theatre. Has come under criticism for 110 years” appears at the end. Statement by the jury »This commercial uses an unusual artistic expression to emphasise the extremes of the euphoric and devastating ‘Hail of criticism’ that the theatre has faced. With well-chosen sounds smartly implemented into the soundtrack, voices and virtuosically interpreted pieces of music, the commercial succeeds in humorously staging its message in a masterly way.«